Why You Need to Change Your WiFi Name And Password & How To Do It
When talking WiFi names and passwords, chances are our password falls into one of two buckets 1) The same ridiculously long password that your provider set when you got the Wifi modem 4 years ago or 2) Something easy that you know you'll remember like mywifi1234
And we're willing to be that when it comes to your WiFi name, it's your address, Family name or Business name.
I'm here to tell you that we all need to consider a third bucket: strong and unique passwords that are changed often! This may sound like a hassle, but this is one of the easiest ways to protect your wifi (and connected devices) from getting hacked.
Why you don't want to use a weak WiFi password.
Well, according to cyber security company Varonis, "If the password to your WiFi network is among the top million or so worst passwords out there, it’s likely a hacker could breach your network in a matter of minutes. That’s because all they need to do is capture a handshake from a device connecting to the Wi-Fi, load it into a tool like Hashcat, and sit back while it tries every guess in a massive file of breached passwords."
There's a good chance that mywifi1234 or !password! is already in that password database and just waiting to be hacked.
Why you don't want to repeat or use an old WiFi password.
You might think you're in the clear with that old password set years ago or your go-to strong password that you use for everything. Here's the thing, using the same (or similar) passwords across different accounts can actually lead to your password ending up on an easily accessible breached password list which hackers use to compromise your account. If the company you use for your grocery delivery gets breached, there goes the security on every other account. And if a hacker figures out your email and password combo for one account, they will likely test it out and many others.
What happens when your WiFi password is compromised?
Once your password is compromised, hackers can access connected devices, track users, and retrieve your personal information. Oh no!
What is a strong password?
According to our Cyber specialist Bryan Neumeister, a strong password consists of the following:
- Truly random
- No shorter than 17 characters
- Different for each online account
- Changed every 90 days
Read the whole article with more information on how to create and store strong passwords.
Dreamed up some strong passwords but don't know how to change your WiFi password? Follow the steps below!
Why you should change your WiFi name
Your home wireless network or WiFi name says A LOT about you! Most people use their address, which let's hackers be that much closer to knowing WHO they're going to hack if they want to get into YOUR system. Think about it, why does anyone need to know your location? You're providing your location if you name your WiFi with your address or your business name.
Come up with something other than The Smiths or your actual street address. You can have fun here too and raise a few eyebrows at the same time.
Have Fun. Be Clever When it Comes To Your WiFi Name
How about "FBI Headquarters" or "NSA" or "Heaven?" Who wouldn't want to log onto THOSE networks, right? And don't forget to misidentify your other devices as well (tablets, desktops and laptop computers have names too). It’s not like the name has to be absolutely perfect—unlike the kid's name or the name of your dog, device titles can be changed anytime! Go for it.
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Creepblocker Camera and Microphone Covers.
How to Change Your Wi-Fi Name and Password
While every provider is a little bit different, most will follow along these general steps:
- Log in to the router as an administrator L
- Find the Wi-Fi Settings.
- Type in a new and stealth WiFi name
- Type a new Wi-Fi password.
- Save the changes.
1) Log Into Your Router as an Administrator
In Order to Login as an admin, you will need to know the username, IP address and password of your router.
Here are instructions for some of the most popular WiFi companies:How To Change Your AT&T WiFi Name And Password:
- The default admin login is attadmin. The admin login can be found on the bottom of the device.
How To Change Your Verizon Password and Name
- To login to your Verison Wi-Fi router, open up a browser and go to 192.168.1.1 and then login with the password located on the sticker on the router itself. (The username is always admin).
Ho To Change Your Hughes Net WiFi Password and Name
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Hughes Net: Go to the website: systemcontrolcenter.com or 192.168.0.1
From the System Control Center page, click on Wifi Settings at the left side. Enter the Administrator username and password. The default is admin for both username and password.
How To Change Your Spectrum WiFi Password and Name
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Spectrum: Connect your computer to your modem via an Ethernet cable.
Type http://192.168.0.1 into your browser’s address bar.Enter the username and passcode for your device, as listed here
How To Change your Netgear WiFi Name and Password
- Netgear: Go to http://www.routerlogin.net Enter the router user name and password when prompted.The default user name is admin. The default password is password.
How to Change Your D-Link WiFi Name and Password
- D-Link: Open your web browser and enter the IP address of the router into the address bar- (not in google). The default IP is 192.168.0.1 or click here http://192.168.0.1.By default, the username is admin and there is no password.
How To Change Your Cisco WiFi Name And Password
- Cisco: Navigate to IP 192.168.1.1To login the default username and password should both be either admin or cisco. See here for details
How To Chang Your Linksys Name And Password
- Linksys: Launch a web browser and enter “192.168.1.1”The default password is admin
How to Change Your Xfinity WiFi Password and Name
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Log into www.xfinity.com/myaccount and select "Settings."Then select "Internet."Go to "WiFi credentials." Now select "Edit" to change your WiFi Name or Password.Enter your new WiFi Name or Password and select "Save.Reconnect your wireless devices to your WiFi network using your new network name and password.
If you can't find your WiFi in the list above, an easy google search should lead you to the instructions.
2) Find the Wi-Fi Password Settings
Locating the Wi-Fi password settings should be fairly easy once you're logged in. Look in a Network, Wireless, Security or Wi-Fi section, or something similar, to find the wireless information. This terminology is different between routers.
3) Create a New Wi-Fi Password and WiFi Name
Change the WiFi name to something that only you and your family will recognize. Type a new strong and unique password based on the conditions shared above.
4) Make sure to save your new password!
REPEAT THE ABOVE STEPS EVERY 90 DAYS FOR EXTRA SECURITY!
Now that you're all secure, why not turn off that WiFi when you aren't using it?! Try out simple WiFi Kill Switch to turn off your WiFi from up to 100ft away
